scholarly journals Ore Mineralogy, Trace Element Geochemistry and Geochronological Constraints at the Mollehuaca and San Juan de Chorunga Au-Ag Vein Deposits in the Nazca-Ocoña Metallogenic Belt, Arequipa, Peru

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1112
Author(s):  
Jorge Crespo ◽  
Elizabeth Holley ◽  
Katharina Pfaff ◽  
Madeleine Guillen ◽  
Roberto Huamani

The Mollehuaca and San Juan de Chorunga deposits are hosted in the poorly explored gold and copper trends of the Nazca-Ocoña metallogenic belt in Arequipa, Perú, which extends from Trujillo (9 °S) to Nazca-Ocoña (14 °S). The aim of this study is to characterize the age, occurrence, and distribution of quartz vein-hosted Au-Ag mineralization and associated trace elements (e.g., Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Bi) in these deposits. Here, we present geological mapping, geochemical whole rock inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS data of the veins, petrographic observations, backscattered electron images, quantitative SEM-based automated mineralogy, and electron microprobe analyses (EMPA). Despite the fact that there are numerous small-scale gold mines in the Nazca-Ocoña metallogenic belt, there have been few studies that document the origin and geological evolution of these deposits or the implications for decision-making in exploration, metallurgical processing, and environmental management. In this research, we document the host rock age of the mineralized veins (129.2 ± 1.0 Ma; U-Pb in zircon), the mineralization age (95.86 ± 0.05 Ma; 40Ar/39Ar in secondary biotite), the occurrence and distribution of Au-Ag in the veins, the mineral zonation present in the vein system, and the zircon geochemistry, in order to provide tools for natural resource management in the metallogenic belt.

Author(s):  
Wenqing Huang ◽  
Pei Ni ◽  
Ting Shui ◽  
Junyi Pan ◽  
Mingsen Fan ◽  
...  

Abstract Primary rubies in the Ailao Shan of Yunnan Province, China, are found in three layers of marble. However, the origin and source rocks of placer rubies in the Yuanjiang area remains unclear. Trace element geochemistry and inclusion mineralogy within these materials can provide information on their petrogenesis and original source. Zircon, rutile, mica group minerals, titanite, and apatite group minerals were the main solid inclusions identified within the placer Yuanjiang rubies, along with other mineral inclusions such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, plagioclase group minerals, and scapolite group minerals. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) measurements showed that the placer rubies are characterized by average values of Mg (31 ppmw), Ti (97 ppmw), V (77 ppmw), Cr (3326 ppmw), Fe (71 ppmw), and Ga (66ppmw). A trace-element oxide diagram, Fe values (<350 ppmw), and the mineral inclusion assemblage suggest marble sources for the placer ruby. Therefore, the Yuanjiang rubies (both primary and placer) are metamorphic, and this fits well with the observations that skarn and related minerals are mostly absent in this deposit. Yuanjiang rubies can be readily separated from the high-iron rubies of different geological types by their Fe content (<1000 ppmw). The discriminators Mg, Ga, Cr, V, Fe, and Ti have potential in separating Yuanjiang rubies from some other marble-hosted deposits, such as Snezhnoe. Nevertheless, geographic origin determination remains a challenge when considering the similarities in compositional features between the Yuanjiang rubies and rubies from some other marble-hosted deposits worldwide (e.g., Luc Yen). The presence of kaolinite group minerals and clusters of euhedral, prismatic zircon crystals in ruby suggest a Yuanjiang origin.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (S1) ◽  
pp. S281-S306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Y. Plotinskaya ◽  
Vera D. Abramova ◽  
Elena O. Groznova ◽  
Svetlana G. Tessalina ◽  
Reimar Seltmann ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTMineralogical, electron microprobe analysis and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry data from molybdenite within two porphyry copper deposits (Kalinovskoe and Birgilda) of the Birgilda-Tomino ore cluster (South Urals) are presented.† The results provide evidence that molybdenites from these two sites have similar trace-element chemistry. Most trace elements (Si, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ag, Sb, Te, Pb, Bi, Au, As and Se) form mineral inclusions within molybdenite. The Re contents in molybdenite vary from 8.7 ppm to 1.13 wt.%. The Re distribution within single molybdenite flakes is always extremely heterogeneous. It is argued that a temperature decrease favours the formation of Re-rich molybdenite. The high Re content of molybdenite observed points to a mantle-derived source.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Economos ◽  
et al.

<div>Table S1: SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology data for six samples from the Cadiz Valley batholith. Table S2: SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology data for six samples from the Federal 2-26 Cajon Pass drill core. Table S3: Whole-rock major- and trace-element geochemistry of granitic rocks from Joshua Tree National Park and the Cadiz Valley batholith measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Table S4: Rb/Sr and Sm/Nd isotope data from the Joshua Tree National Park and Cadiz Valley batholith. Table S5: Locations, data, and references used to generate histograms in Figure 5.<br></div>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Economos ◽  
et al.

<div>Table S1: SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology data for six samples from the Cadiz Valley batholith. Table S2: SHRIMP zircon U-Pb geochronology data for six samples from the Federal 2-26 Cajon Pass drill core. Table S3: Whole-rock major- and trace-element geochemistry of granitic rocks from Joshua Tree National Park and the Cadiz Valley batholith measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Table S4: Rb/Sr and Sm/Nd isotope data from the Joshua Tree National Park and Cadiz Valley batholith. Table S5: Locations, data, and references used to generate histograms in Figure 5.<br></div>


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ren-Yu Zeng ◽  
Jian-Qing Lai ◽  
Xian-Cheng Mao ◽  
Jie Yan ◽  
Chen-Guang Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract The North Qilian orogenic belt in North China has been defined as a subduction–collision zone between the Alxa Block and the Qilian Block. We present petrography, zircon U–Pb geochronology, major- and trace-element geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope analysis for the Yushigou diabase from the Longshoushan area, which is located SW of the Alxa Block, aiming to understand its petrogenetic link to subduction processes. The Yushigou diabase belongs to the tholeiite series, and shows enrichment in light rare earth and large-ion lithophile elements, and a depletion in heavy rare earth and high-field-strength elements. Laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry U–Pb zircon dating yielded an emplacement age of 414 ± 9 Ma, with an ϵHf(t) value in the range of −10.3 to 1.8. The whole-rock initial 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of the diabase range over 16.811–17.157, 15.331–15.422 and 37.768–37.895, respectively. The (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios vary between 0.7086 and 0.7106, and ϵNd(t) values vary between −14.4 and −13.4, which are significantly higher than the ϵHf(t) value (Nd–Hf decoupling). An interpretation of the elemental and isotopic data suggests that the Yushigou diabase was derived from partial melting of an enriched mantle I (EM-I) -type lithospheric mantle in the spinel–garnet transitional zone. Based on the geochemical features and previous regional geological data, we propose that the Silurian magmatism was most likely triggered by slab break-off after the closure of the North Qilian Ocean, and ancient continental materials from the subduction slab metasomatized the overlying lithospheric mantle during exhumation.


Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria I. Filina ◽  
Elena S. Sorokina ◽  
Roman Botcharnikov ◽  
Stefanos Karampelas ◽  
Mikhail A. Rassomakhin ◽  
...  

Kyshtymites are the unique corundum-blue sapphire-bearing variety of anorthosites of debatable geological origin found in the Ilmenogorsky-Vishnevogorsky complex (IVC) in the South Urals, Russia. Their mineral association includes corundum-sapphire, plagioclase (An61–93), muscovite, clinochlore, and clinozoisite. Zircon, churchite-(Y), monazite-(Ce), and apatite group minerals are found as accessory phases. Besides, churchite-(Y) and zircon are also identified as syngenetic solid inclusions within the sapphires. In situ Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb zircon geochronology showed the ages at about 290–330 Ma linked to the Hercynian orogeny in IVC. These ages are close to those of the syenitic and carbonatitic magmas of the IVC, pointing to their syngenetic origin, which is in agreement with the trace element geochemistry of the zircons demonstrating clear magmatic signature. However, the trace element composition of sapphires shows mostly metamorphic signature with metasomatic overprints in contrast to the geochemistry of zircons. The reason for this discrepancy can be the fact that the discrimination diagrams for sapphires are not as universal as assumed. Hence, they cannot provide an unambiguous determination of sapphire origin. If it is true and zircons can be used as traces of anorthosite genesis, then it can be suggested that kyshtymites are formed in a magmatic process at 440–420 Ma ago, most probably as plagioclase cumulates in a magma chamber. This cumulate rock was affected by a second magmatic event at 290–330 Ma as recorded in zircon and sapphire zoning. On the other hand, Ti-in-zircon thermometer indicates that processes operated at relatively lower temperature (<900 °C), which is not enough to re-melt the anorthosites. Hence, zircons in kyshtymites can be magmatic but inherited from another rock, which was re-worked during metamorphism. The most probable candidate for the anorthosite protolith is carbonatites assuming that metamorphic fluids could likely leave Al- and Si-rich residue, but removed Ca and CO2. Further, Si is consumed by the silicification of ultramafic host rocks. However, kyshtymites do not show clear evidence of pronounced metasomatic zonation and evidence for large volume changes due to metamorphic alteration of carbonatites. Thus, the obtained data still do not allow for univocal reconstruction of the kyshtymite origin and further investigations are required.


Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
Yuyu Zheng ◽  
Xiaoyan Yu ◽  
Hongshu Guo

Emerald from the deposit at Dayakou is classified as a vanadium-dominant emerald together with Lened, Muzo, Mohmand, and Eidsvoll emeralds. Although previous studies defined these V-dominant emeralds and traced the genesis of the Dayakou deposit, there has not been any systematic comparison or discrimination on V-dominant emeralds from these deposits. The origin of the parental fluid and the crystallization process of the Dayakou emerald remain controversial. In this study, both major and trace element signatures of 34 V-dominant samples from Dayakou are analyzed through electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Dayakou emeralds are characterized by high ratios of V/Cr and the enrichment of Li, Cs, W, Sn, and As. These geochemical fingerprints indicate a parental fluid of an Early Cretaceous early-stage granitic fluid associated with Laojunshan granite. The considerable concentration variation of Rb, Cs, Ga and the presence of V-rich oxy-schorl-dravite inclusions in a color zoned sample suggest two generations of emerald precipitation. Thus, a more detailed idealized mineralization model for the Dayakou deposit is proposed. A series of plots, such as Rb vs. Cs, V vs. V/Cr, LILE vs. CTE, and Li vs. Sc, are constructed to discriminate the provenance of V-dominant emeralds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Yan ◽  
Chun-lian Wang ◽  
Steffen Mischke ◽  
Jiu-yi Wang ◽  
Li-jian Shen ◽  
...  

AbstractMajor, trace and rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of the late Cretaceous lower Zhoutian Formation from the Jitai Basin of Southeast China were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis to infer the provenance of the sediments and to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate. The wide range of Sr/Cu ratios point to a fluctuating palaeoclimate, and the negative correlation between the FeO/MnO and Al2O3/MgO ratios and the Sr/Cu ratio indicates that the late Cretaceous climate during the lower Zhoutian Formation in the Jitai Basin can be divided into two parts. The lower part experienced two cooling periods, whilst the upper part was dominated by warm-humid climate. Mostly corresponding trends of the B/Ga, Sr/Ba and Sr/Cu ratios show that the salinity changed consistently with the late Cretaceous climate during the lower Zhoutian Formation in the Jitai Basin. During the lower part, the salinity changed from salt water to fresh/brackish water. In the upper part, water was mainly fresh/brackish, and there were many changes from fresh/brackish water to salt water. The relatively stable Ni/Co, V/Cr, V/(V + Ni) and Ce/Ce* data indicate a long period of oxic conditions. The La-Th-Sc, Th-Sc-Zr/10 and La/Th-Hf data of the silt- and sandstones of the lower Zhoutian Formation show that its provenance was mainly a mixture of felsic upper crust sediments and older sedimentary rocks.


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